Here Am I
Table Talk
Setting the Table
You are welcome here. Come just as you are, bringing whatever is on your heart today. Take a few moments and allow yourself to just be. Take a couple deep breaths, grab yourself a cup of coffee, light a candle, do something that brings you comfort. Allow yourself to be present in this moment.
Sometimes the greatest tools one can possess are a brave heart and an open and willing spirit.
“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”
— Martin Niemöller
Isaiah 6:8
“Here am I; send me!”
Food for Thought
God has a long-standing tradition of calling seemingly ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Often, those God calls aren’t great leaders; they aren’t rich, powerful, or well-known. And in some cases, the people whom God calls to do God’s work are even guilty of the very behavior God is calling them to help correct.
In the book of Isaiah, God calls Isaiah, this seemingly ordinary guy, to become God’s spokesperson or prophet; to caution the people of what will happen in their refusal to see, to hear, and to stand in solidarity with their neighbor. Isaiah becomes keenly aware and ashamed of his imperfection and unworthiness. Who is he to be called by God, to proclaim the words of God to his people? Doesn’t God know that he is just as guilty as those to whom God is calling him to speak? He, too, is complicit in the unjust systems of his people.
As he is speaking with God, a seraphim — an angel of the Lord — flies down to Isaiah and touches his mouth with a hot coal, burning away his guilt and sin and offering him a fresh start.
With all excuses and obstacles removed from before Isaiah, God calls him forward. “Whom shall I send and who will go for us?” And Isaiah responds, “Here am I; send me!”
God called Isaiah, from exactly where he was, to pay attention to what was happening, to see how systems of power and death were killing those around him, and to stand in opposition. God called Isaiah to become a messenger of life and transformation — to urge his people to turn from those systems and tear them down.
So, too, does God call us.
When any of our neighbors, when any person, when any child of God is harmed, abused, or suffering under the yoke of oppression and injustice, it doesn’t just affect them – it affects us too, chipping away at our humanity. Death perpetuates death. Violence perpetuates violence.
Our lives are tied together. Our humanity is tied together.
And just as the burning coal singed away Isaiah’s obstacles of guilt and shame, the path has been cleared for us as well. There is no reason for us to resist God’s call to see and hear the world around us – the call to realize that what hurts our neighbor, even our neighbor on the opposite side of the world, hurts us, too — the call to stand and speak out with our neighbors who are hurting.
There is nothing standing in our way because in Christ the path toward life and transformation has been paved.
Christ was born into the world in order that we might truly see the world around us, pointing to those pushed aside, ignored, hidden. It is in and through Christ that we are saved and enabled to do the hard work of saying, “Here am I.” In Christ we are a new creation, raised to live in the newness of life. We are far from alone in this — as we walk in this new life, we are in community with each other, the communion of Saints, and with the Holy Spirit, who walks before, behind, and beside us.
May we be people who don’t look for a reason to say “no”, but instead strive to follow the call of God to say and do the difficult things – standing where God stands, refusing to let the word of God be co-opted by the powers of death and destruction. May we boldly proclaim life in the face of death.
Amen.
What is one cause that is of special significance to you? In what ways do you feel God calling you to take action? Have courage, and take one small step toward that action today!
For a printable version of today's reflection Click Here!
Blessing
May God give you the courage and strength to say, “Here am I” alongside the outcast and oppressed. May God grant you compassion and a willingness to welcome others into your heart, and to facilitate changes toward life-giving goodness.
A little Table Talk for your table...
Do you find it difficult to say “Here am I”?
Have you ever felt called to do something that you felt completely inadequate to do? Did you follow through? Why or why not?
Discuss the possible significance of God calling Isaiah to prophesy to his people? What lessons can you take from that and apply to your own life and walk with God?
Try taking it to the Kids Table...
Talk with your child about speaking out when someone is being mistreated – how it can sometimes be difficult, but how important it is to use our voices to fight for what we believe in.
Also, share with them how anyone can make a positive difference. None of us is perfect or blameless, but we can all share God’s love with the world around us.
Have some gardening fun with your kiddo! As you plant, talk to them about how the seeds we nurture now can foster life far beyond us.
Meet Our Welcoming Voice!
Rev. Leigh Curl-Dove is a native of Memphis, TN. She is a graduate of Baylor University and Duke University Divinity School. Leigh has served churches in Virginia, North Carolina, and Texas. She currently serves as the Minister with Students at Emerywood Baptist Church in High Point, NC. Leigh is married to Keith, a Presbyterian pastor. In her free time, she can be found following the North Carolina Courage and Baylor Lady Bears, going on long walks with her dog, Bells, enjoying good food, and fly fishing with her husband.
To hear more from Rev. Leigh Curl-Dove throughout the week, follow along on our Instagram!
Here are Five Things to Remember When Setting Your Own Welcome Table!